Belitung tarsier in the enclosure after 2 months.

Tarsiers receive little conservation attention in its geographic range, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darusslam and Philippines. This lack of attention is probably because tarsiers are uncommon, elusive, rarely seen (because of their nocturnal habit), and competes for conservation attention of well-known flagship species, e.g.: Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris), Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), or orang utans (Pongo pygmaeus).

Insect sampling.

In Belitung Island, there is no specific area for the conservation of tarsier. Meanwhile, the continuing deterioration of the forest-land in Belitung Island means that there is a high probability of the species becoming more threatened. This ex-situ conservation effort will take place just right their natural habitat in Gunung Tajam, Belitung Island. This pilot project means to hold ex-situ conservation in order to promote the protected forest status of Gunung Tajam Forest to a higher status like Wildlife Reserve or Sanctuary. The pilot study will identify critical resources for tarsiers' survival and adaptation in captivity. Results of this pilot project will provide information to improve the diet assessment, enclosure design with its enrichment and in general the tarsier management in captivity.

This pilot project of ex-situ conservation was hoping to conserve the population of Tarsius bancanus saltator in Belitung Island, and make Tarsius bancanus saltator as the species that deserve a specific area for conservation by promoting the status of protected forest of the Gunung Tajam, Belitung Island into conservation area such as a sanctuary or wildlife reserve. As tarsier becoming one of the ecotourism interest, the ecotourism should impact the incomes of local peoples and local Government.